Advertisement

View synonyms for

scuttle

1

[skuht-l]

noun

  1. Nautical.

    1. a small hatch or port in the deck, side, or bottom of a vessel.

    2. a cover for this.

  2. a small hatchlike opening in a roof or ceiling.



verb (used with object)

scuttled, scuttling 
  1. to sink (a vessel) deliberately, especially by opening seacocks or making openings in the hull.

  2. to abandon, withdraw from, or cause to be abandoned or destroyed (as plans, hopes, rumors, etc.).

scuttle

2

[skuht-l]

verb (used without object)

scuttled, scuttling 
  1. to run with quick, hasty steps; scurry.

    Synonyms: , , ,

noun

  1. a quick pace.

  2. a short, hurried run.

scuttle

3

[skuht-l]

noun

  1. a deep bucket for carrying coal.

  2. British Dialect.a broad, shallow basket.

scuttle

1

/ ˈʌə /

noun

  1. See coal scuttle

  2. dialecta shallow basket, esp for carrying vegetables

  3. the part of a motor-car body lying immediately behind the bonnet

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scuttle

2

/ ˈʌə /

verb

  1. (tr) nautical to cause (a vessel) to sink by opening the seacocks or making holes in the bottom

  2. (tr) to give up (hopes, plans, etc)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. nautical a small hatch or its cover

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scuttle

3

/ ˈʌə /

verb

  1. (intr) to run or move about with short hasty steps

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a hurried pace or run

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuttle1

First recorded in 1490–1500; of obscure origin; perhaps from Middle French escoutille or Spanish escotilla “hatchway,” equivalent to Spanish escot(e) “a cutting of cloth” + -illa, diminutive suffix; of Germanic origin; compare Gothic skaut “hem, seam”; sheet 1 ( def. ) )

Origin of scuttle2

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English scottlynge “scampering” (gerund), variant of scuddle, frequentative of scud 1

Origin of scuttle3

First recorded in before 1050; Middle English scutel(le), scuttel “dish, basket, winnowing fan,” Old English scutel “dish, trencher, platter,” from Latin scutella, diminutive of scutra “shallow dish, pan”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuttle1

Old English scutel trencher, from Latin scutella bowl, diminutive of scutra platter; related to Old Norse skutill, Old High German scuzzila, perhaps to Latin ūٳܳ shield

Origin of scuttle2

C15 (n): via Old French from Spanish escotilla a small opening, from escote opening in a piece of cloth, from escotar to cut out

Origin of scuttle3

C15: perhaps from scud , influenced by shuttle
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In recent years, Lee's political ambitions have been saddled with even more pressing controversies - including the ongoing legal cases that continue to hang over him, threatening to hamstring if not scuttle his chances at election.

From

The backlash makes her a laughingstock and scuttles her career.

From

They dismiss the hospitality industry’s dire warnings, including the notion that increased wages will scuttle the development of new hotels.

From

At that time, China didn’t rank in the top fifth, though it was scuttling upward.

From

The most “national” political elements being the first to scuttle their own country’s interests on behalf of foreign powers has numerous foreign analogs.

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


scutterscuttlebutt